I’ve got the Finding Mr. Brightside tour stopping by the blog today. I had the opportunity to interview Jay Clark about this novel, and you can enter to win yourself a copy! First, let’s see what this book is all about:
Finding Mr. Brightside by Jay Clark
Published by Henry Holt and Co. on March 24th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, YA
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Abram and Juliette know each other. They’ve lived down the street from each other their whole lives. But they don’t really know each other—at least, not until Juliette’s mom and Abram’s dad have a torrid affair that culminates in a deadly car crash. Sharing the same subdivision is uncomfortable, to say the least. They don’t speak.
Fast-forward to the neighborhood pharmacy, a few months later. Abram decides to say hello. Then he decides to invite her to Taco Bell. To her surprise as well as his, she agrees. And the real love story begins.
Interview with Jay Clark
Let’s start with telling us what your book is about – but in tweet form!
She didn’t expect her silver lining
To be wearing gray sweatpants.
Will their parents’ sketchy history
Stop her from giving him a chance?
What was the funnest part of writing Finding Mr. Brightside?
I was surprised how enjoyable it was to let the sparks fly between the two main characters without wet-blanketing them with an unnecessary punch line (or twenty), which is my tendency. I really want to end this answer with a joke right now.
Do you see yourself in any of your characters?
Abram’s the beach-loving side of me that’s like, “Let’s just relax for a bit, cool?” Juliette’s the Starbucks-drinking side of me that’s like, “Cool, then what happens?” You wouldn’t think these sides would be compatible, but therein lies the mysteriously counterintuitive appeal of both the book and my personality? That’s what I’m hoping.
If you had to start over (don’t cry!), is there anything you would do differently?
*Stops crying and enters time machine* Hey, why do I look so miserable back in 2009 and 2011? Sounds cliché, but I really would just try to have more fun with the writing process itself versus waiting for something amazing to knock me off my poorly constructed DIY treadmill desk.
Share some of your favorite quotes (or a favourite moment) in this book.
Loved writing the Halloween party scene. Juliette’s reluctant appreciation of Abram’s beer-pong prowess, Heidi thwarting Juliette’s French exit attempts, Abram’s perfect robot-buster-outer timing, Heidi’s inappropriate twerking against her fellow dancers and frequent demands that they “Get it!”… my idea of a good time. I’ve also been known to self-LOL at the “Wouldn’t you know, there’s always a steep ravine nearby when I get into hypothetical car accidents” and “Let’s leave before she’s finished being disgusting” (re: the mysterious Starbucks bathroom occupant) lines.
I absolutely need snacks when I read – what would you tell me to eat while reading this book?
Food: Shredded cheese microwaved on top of Tostitos-brand tortilla chips (the cheaper Kroger brand is always a mistake, unfortunately) with Tostitos Restaurant Style salsa. Drink: A vat of Starbucks iced coffee sweetened with half-and-half (and maybe a single shot of espresso if you had a rough night last night). 😉
About the Author
Jay Clark is the author of Finding Mr. Brightside, which author Jerry Spinelli (Stargirl) calls “one of my favorite YA books ever,” and The Edumacation of Jay Baker, which Booklist praised in a starred review: “The magic lies in the telling.” He’s also a random blogger. Surprisingly popular entries like “How to stop hating people in 21 minutes” and “8 tips for posting your best selfie yet!” can be found on his website: jayclarkbooks.com.
When he isn’t writing, Jay enjoys thinking seriously about getting a golden retriever puppy but then having second thoughts about it, playing tennis as if something important is at stake, and complaining about his monthly Starbucks expenses when they’re fully within his control. He lives in Columbus, Ohio.
This post is part of the Finding Mr. Brightside blog tour.
Click on the banner for the full tour schedule!
Giveaway
Macmillan Children’s Books has generously offered up one print copy of Finding Mr. Brightside for giveaway!
Open to US addresses only
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